WHEN SHIP HAPPENS: CALL US!
TOWING • VESSEL RESPONSE • salvage • jump start • UNGROUNDINGS • FUEL • SAFE RIDE HOME
GIVE US A CALL @ 1-877-uptow-me
GET BACK TO HAVING FUN ON THE WATER, SAFELY!
UpStream Towing LLC is a Veteran and locally owned on-the-water Towing and Vessel response service provider at Lake of the Ozarks.
Our mission is to provide unrivaled peace of mind to the boating community through dependable, swift, affordable, and safe towing services. Anchored by our experienced, United States Coast Guard Licensed and Marine Corps Disabled Veteran, Captain Christopher Stockton, we pledge to deliver professional aid promptly “When Ship Happens."
Approximately 100,000 boats operate on weekends and holidays up and down the lake, and trouble can arise at nearly any time, especially when you least expect it. UpStream Towing offers a multitude of on-water towing and boating services, including in-the-moment needs and scheduled services, and is dedicated to meeting the needs of boaters in distress to foster a safe, more enjoyable boating environment for everyone on the water here at Lake of the Ozarks. From standard towing due to a mechanical malfunction, to fuel deliveries, jump starts, un-groundings, and salvage services, or a safe ride home for you and your crew, UpStream Towing is your go-to for dependable (and friendly!) on-water towing and boating services, at prices you can afford. Work with a local veteran-owned business with a Captain you can count on, and get back to having fun on the water!
With Upstream Towing, you're in safe waters - help is always ready “When Ship Happens"!
Mechanical Failures
Mechanical failures can leave a boat stranded, turning a day of leisure into a stressful ordeal.
Navigational Errors & Weather Changes
Navigation mistakes or unforseen weather changes can create dangerous situations, especially for those less fsamiliar with the vastness of Lake of the Ozarks. Water levels can also change during the shoulder and off-seasons, leaving boaters navigating shallower than normal waters.
Accidents or Mishaps
Accidents or mishaps, while rare, can occur, leaving boaters in need of immediate and dependable assistance. We also work with the Water Patrol, and handle emergency calls.
Gas/Fuel Deficiencies
Gas/Fuel deficiencies, while also rare, can occur when boaters are unfamiliar with gas meters on floating vessels, or are unfamiliar with nearby gas dock locations, sometimes getting caught too far from an open marina or gas dock after hours.
Lift / Float Failures
Lift or float failures cause boats to sink if they are currently winterized and stored in a dock during the off-season, causing the need for expert assistance. Dock & Lift/boat monitoring services are available on a seasonal subscription basis. Ask for details.
Get A Safe Ride Home
Too much fun at the lake can often be had at local lakefront bars, casuing boaters to feel unsure about their ability to safely drive themselves and family or friends home. UpStream Towing offers pickup and tow services, getting your crew and your boat back to your dock safely. Available from on-water bars from the 1-50 mile-marker.
BWI's & Boat Impounds
BWI's and Boat Impounds are not so favorite parts of lake life. When these occur, oftentimes the driver is taken by the police/water patrol to the nearest station, leaving the boat and crew in need of a ride home or to the owner's dock.
UPSTREAM TOWING SERVICES
The excitement of setting sail at Lake of the Ozarks can sometimes be tempered by unforeseen issues. Boat with confidence, UpStream Towing has your back.
UPSTREAM TOWING BUSINESS HOURS:
Season: March 1st - October 31st:
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Fri-Tues: Open 24 Hours
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Wednesdays: Closed at 6:00 pm
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Thursdays: Open at 6:00 am and On
Off-Season: November 1 - February 29:
Services available on a scheduled basis.
MEET YOUR CAPTAIN, CHRIS STOCKTON
Captain "Cup Cake"🧁Chris Stockton, owner of UpStream Towing, LLC, started his maritime journey with the earning of his U.S. Coast Guard-Regulated Merchant Mariner Credentials back in 2017, marking the start of a distinguished career in various nautical capacities.
With recent experience as the primary Lake Tow/BoatUS Captain on Lake of the Ozarks, Capt. Stockton boasts an impeccable incident-free boating record. In this role, he expertly managed approximately 90% of the towing service calls across Lake of the Ozarks, earning the trust and respect of the local community. His dedication to service excellence led many residents and businesses to request him by name when in need of maritime assistance. It was this overwhelming support and personal calls that eventually inspired Capt. Stockton to launch his own company, UpStream Towing, LLC, which prides itself on providing responsive, personable, and honorable services, meeting the needs of customers efficiently and without cutting corners.
Capt. Stockton's nautical adventures are not confined to one body of water. He has spent time working on a 49ft Sport fisher with his uncle in Destin, FL, fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, and operating Parasail boats along the coasts of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean in California. In pursuit of a life closer to his grandchildren, he relocated to Lake of the Ozarks, where he skillfully piloted a work barge to install Rip-Rap along shorelines, mitigating erosion caused by the heavy boat traffic in the area.
Eventually, Capt. Stockton was presented with the opportunity to serve as the primary captain for Lake Tow/BoatUS. His dedication was unparalleled as he was on call 24/7/365 for two years, with over 900 incident free tows during that timeframe, managing a vast array of emergencies from straightforward jump starts to complex recovery operations of large boats from the lakebed. His notable achievements include assisting in the remarkable removal of a boat that had become airborne into a house near Bagnell Dam in August 2023.
Through his experiences, Capt. Stockton discerned the need for enhanced maritime services on the lake. Fueled by his unwavering commitment, he resolved that to best serve his community and family, he would put his efforts into his enterprise, thus ensuring that UpStream Towing, LLC embodies the dedication and quality his customers deserve.